Impact of the geomorphology and soil management on the development of waterlogging in closed drainage basins of Egypt and Saudi Arabia

This paper investigates the interplay of the catchment geomorphology, hydrology and soil properties on the development of waterlogging and land degradation within different dry land catchments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Multi-temporal remote sensing data of the Landsat Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper were collected and processed to detect the land cover changes and development of cultivations within the two areas. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model were hydrologically processed to delineate the catchment morphometrical parameters and to examine the spatial distribution of cultivated fields and their relation to the extracted drainage networks. The fluvial channels of the Farafra Oasis have largely been obliterated by the prevailing aridity and often buried under aeolian deposits. The soil of these areas are mainly lithic with a high calcium carbonate content, thus limiting the downward percolation of excess irrigation water and therefore develop perched water table and seepage through the buried fluvial channels. On the other hand, the cultivations of Tabuk catchment (which has similar geomorphologic setting to the Farafra Oasis) have shown no signs for waterlogging. This situation is could be related to the different soil properties; the spatial distribution of cultivated areas and the adopted irrigation methods via pivots. The inactive alluvial channels, landforms and irrigation methods have to be considered when planning for a new cultivation in dry land catchments to better control waterlogging hazard. The ‘dry-drainage’ concept can be implemented as the drainage and seepage water, which can be conveyed into certain abandoned playas for evaporation.     

An overview of the diagenesis of the Upper Jurassic carbonates of Jubaila and Hanifa formations, central Saudi Arabia

The Jubaila Formation (Upper Jurassic) in central Saudi Arabia has been divided into lower, middle, and upper parts purely on lithologic grounds. Each part consists of a major lower unit of lime mudstone and a minor upper unit of grainstone. This persistent change in the limestone facies is interpreted as a reflection of repeated shoaling up in the depositional shelf environment. It is a normal marine carbonate sequence that varies in thickness from 85 to 126 m. In the Hanifa Formation, the lowermost brown ledges in the section comprise a series of coarsening upward sequences which generally terminate in a fossiliferous/peloidal packstone and grainstone and subordinately lime mudstone facies. The middle slope member is yellow, blocky weathered shale and marl. Above this slope member are several thick beds of brown-coated fossiliferous wackestone, packstone, and grainstone with the association of lime mudstone in certain levels. These are fairly resistant ledges due to the occurrence of stromatoporoids. Dedolomitization occurs in the Jubaila Formation in various textural forms which include composite calcite rhombohedra, zonal dedolomitization, regeneration of predolomitization fabric of the limestone, and coarsely crystalline calcite mosaics with or without ferric oxide rhombic zones. Rhombohedral pores commonly occur in intimate association with dolomite, possibly resulting from the leaching of calcitized dolomite rhombohedra. The regional dedolomitization was most likely brought about by calcium sulfate solutions reacting with dolomites. The source of sulfate solutions is the dissolved anhydrite deposits of the Arab–Hith Formations, sometime before their erosion, and it takes place at or near an exposed surface. The Hanifa Formation shows various diagenetic features. These include dolomitization, dedolomitization, micritization, cementation, and recrystallization. Most of the examined samples of the Hanifa carbonates are dolomitized and subsequently dedolomitized as evidenced by the presence of iron-coated dolomite rhombs partially or completely calcitized. Dolomite also occurs in the lime mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone facies, while leaching of wackestone and packstone and dedolomitization of dolomite and dolomitic limestone followed by recrystallization are common processes.     

Comment on Gazi et al. (2020): Detecting Coral Reef Degradation on St. Martin’s Island,Bangladesh?

Ocean Science Journal - St. Martin’s Island is a small sedimentary island situated at the southernmost part of Bangladesh (20°37.6′ N and 92°19.3′ E). The island is...     

Ionospheric and geomagnetic disturbances during the 2005 Sumatran earthquakes

This paper investigates the ionospheric and geomagnetic responses during the 28 March 2005 and 14 May 2005 Sumatran earthquakes using GPS and magnetometer stations located in the near zone of the epicenters. These events occurred during low solar and geomagnetic activity. TEC oscillations with periods of 5–10 min were observed about 10–24 min after the earthquakes and have horizontal propagation velocities of 922–1259 m/s. Ionospheric disturbances were observed at GPS stations located to the northeast of the epicenters, while no significant disturbances were seen relatively east and south of the epicenters. The magnetic field measurements show rapid fluctuations of 4–5 s shortly after the earthquake, followed by a Pc5 pulsation of 4.8 min about 11 min after the event. The correlation between the ionospheric and geomagnetic responses shows a good agreement in the period and time lag of the peak disturbance arrival, i.e. about 11–13 min after the earthquake.     

Air Surface Temperature Correlation with Greenhouse Gases by Using Airs Data Over Peninsular Malaysia

The main objective of this study is to develop algorithms for calculating the air surface temperature (AST). This study also aims to analyze and investigate the effects of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on the AST value in Peninsular Malaysia. Multiple linear regression is used to achieve the objectives of the study. Peninsular Malaysia has been selected as the research area because it is among the regions of tropical Southeast Asia with the greatest humidity, pockets of heavy pollution, rapid economic growth, and industrialization. The predicted AST was highly correlated (R = 0.783) with GHGs for the 6-year data (2003–2008). Comparisons of five stations in 2009 showed close agreement between the predicted AST and the observed AST from AIRS, especially in the wet season (within 1.3 K). The in situ data ranged from 1 to 2 K. Validation results showed that AST (R = 0.776–0.878) has values nearly the same as the observed AST from AIRS. We found that O₃ during the wet season was indicated by a strongly positive beta coefficient (0.264–0.992) with AST. The CO₂ yields a reasonable relationship with temperature with low to moderate beta coefficient (?0.065 to 0.238). The O₃, CO₂, and environmental variables experienced different seasonal fluctuations that depend on weather conditions and topography. The concentration of gases and pollution were the highest over industrial zones and overcrowded cities, and the dry season was more polluted compared with the wet season. These results indicate the advantage of using the satellite AIRS data and a correlation analysis to investigate the effect of atmospheric GHGs on AST over Peninsular Malaysia. An algorithm that is capable of retrieving Peninsular Malaysian AST in all weather conditions with total uncertainties ranging from 1 to 2 K was developed.     

Numerical modelling of staged stope extraction in a tabular steeply dipping deposit

Stope stability is a key factor for the success of a mining operation. To optimise ore productivity while maintaining stope stability, the mining block/stope must be extracted in stages. Ore dilution will occur if the stope is not properly excavated/blasted. This study examines stope stability during mining in three stages, where the height of each stage stope is 10 m. The paper also presents simulation analysis of a typical steeply dipping tabular orebody at 1200 m depth below the surface, which is common in many Canadian underground hard rock mines. Numerical modelling analysis was conducted using the finite element program, RS^2D, where the non-linear elasto-plastic Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion was adopted. The rock reinforcement system (i.e. cable bolts) was modelled/installed in the stope footwall after each mining stage to strengthen access drifts and stabilise the rock mass around the stope that was disturbed by mining activity. Results are discussed in terms of depth of failure zones, total deformation and axial forces in cable bolts with respect to mining stage.     

Determination of cave geometry by using a geoelectrical resistivity inverse model

Determination of the geometry and the dimensions of a cave is an important factor considered for planning geotechnical, archeological, speleological studies, and quarrying activities. In recent years, researchers have raised an increasing number of questions related to the shape and size of cavities using 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging techniques. The inverse model is valuable in detecting the location and extent of subterranean cavities. In this study, a 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging technique is employed to determine the geometry of a known subterranean cavity. The results provided valuable information and demonstrated the effectiveness of the technique for exploring the size of cavities.     

Groundwater management scenarios for the Biyadh-Wasia aquifer systems in the eastern part of Riyadh region,Saudi Arabia

Groundwater stored in the deep seated sedimentary aquifers is the most important source of water supply. The lack of sufficient groundwater recharge and the overdependence on groundwater might lead to unavailability of this precious natural resource if proper management practices are not adopted. Finite difference modelling using the MODFLOW program was carried out in the east of Riyadh city to simulate the groundwater level conditions under different abstraction scenarios. The simulated aquifer system combines the Wasia and Biyadh aquifer (composed of sandstone) and Aruma aquifer (limestone) which lies between 24°30'00"- 25°30'00" N and longitudes 47°00'00"- 48°00'00"E. The transmissivity and storage coefficient values of Biyadh aquifer are 7.0x10^-3 to 7.0x10^-2 m²/day and 3.7x10^-4 to 9.4x10^-4 respectively. The transmissivity and storage coefficient values of Wasia aquifer ranges from 6.7x10^-3 to 8.5x10^-2 m²/day and 2x10^-4 to 2.3x10^-4 respectively. The model calibration involved altering the values of model input parameters to match field conditions within certain acceptable limits to forecast the aquifer response over a period of 35 years (2015-2050). The modelling grid consisted of 20 and 24 columns with the grids spacing of 4 km for the small grids and 6 km for large grids. The results showed that though the Wasia aquifer was productive, it showed a large decline in water levels if water abstraction continued at the present rate. If the existing trends of groundwater withdraw continues; the piezometric heads in Wasia and Biyadh aquifers will decline by the year 2050. A reduction in 25% of the existing groundwater pumping rate in the well field will minimize the rate of groundwater decline in the aquifer to a considerable extent.